Page 40 of Temporarily in Love

I put a hand on Declan’s arm. “No, it’s okay. Nolan’s right. Nol, I know you’re trying to protect your brother, but I’m not trying to hurt him.”

Nolan gestured between the two of us. “So, what is all this?”

“It’s not any of your business,” Declan seethed.

“We’re spending time together. Declan was my best friend for several years, that’s all,” I said.

Norah started crying, which diffused the situation.

But I knew he was right. Nolan was right to ask why I showed up for family dinner. Right to ask what I thought I was doing with his brother. I wished I had an answer for him because I didn’t know either.

Chapter Twelve

DECLAN

Lila lay naked and spent in my arms after I had her spread eagle across my bed and made her beg for it. She was so hot when she whimpered and cried out for my dick before I gave it to her hard and rough.

“What's wrong, love?” I asked and kissed her hair.

She shook her head.

She had been quiet since we left my brother’s place, and it was no surprise why. I was going to have words with Nolan later. He had no right to be downright rude to her face like that. It embarrassed Avery, so I was sure she would give him a piece of her mind too.

“I should go,” she whispered into my chest, but didn’t make a move to get out of my arms.

“Hey, tell me what’s wrong.”

She sighed. “Nol’s right. I’m going to hurt you again.”

I shook my head and tilted her head up to look at me. “I’m a big boy.”

“But Dec—”

I silenced her by putting a finger on her lips. “Okay, how about we just enjoy what this is?”

“What do you mean?”

I gestured between the two of us. “We spend time with each other, in my bed and out, while you’re here, and when you go home, that’s the end.”

“Like a fling?” she asked.

“Sure, if you want. But when you go home, we’ll still be friends. You won’t pretend I don’t exist when you come home for the holidays.”

She chewed on her lip as she thought about it. “Why do you want that?”

I twirled a strand of her hair around my finger. “Because I missed you.”

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “I missed you too. I missed you so much, but I didn’t want to see you again because I was afraid I wouldn’t finish my degree.”

“I know, love. I know why you broke up with me back then, and that’s okay.”

“Did you hate me?” she asked.

No. I never hated her. Could never, ever hate her. She broke my heart, but I never had a single hateful bone in my body for her. I loved her far too much for that.

I shook my head and kissed the back of her wrist. “No, my love. I could never hate you.”

“Really?” she asked, her eyes welling up with tears.